I don't get Cafe Racers

[awa355]

Honda GB's

I loved my GB500tt. But following a friend on his Matchless 500 made the GB engine sound just like what it was, a Honda trail bike motor Nothing like the real thing I guess.



I do like the cafe racer style tho.

[mossy1200]

Meet K100CR
Cost less to build than most the tardme's.

[pete376403]

Probably LAMs approvable if they were ever available here

[cs363]

Probably LAMs approvable if they were ever available here

They are. On both counts: http://www.royalenfield.co.nz/continental-2


Back on topic, I'm not personally a big fan of this whole hipster inspired cafe racer/bobber/retro thing that's happening at the moment. Then again I'm not a big fan of Harley's either, but they have been consistently the best selling motorcycle brand in NZ in the over 750cc bracket for some time, so someone must like them!
For me the main thing with this trend is that it's getting a lot of people into (or back into) motorcycling and that can't be a bad thing for motorcyclists and the motorcycle industry.

[Swoop]

How so?

Are you talking Aestetics? Ride experiance? Fun Factor?

Generally: Aesthetics, history, fun, "feel".

Personally: F*cking stupidity, lunacy, cheek, noise, laughter, fun, looks.

"Ride" will be completely different from individual to individual, simply because of all of the above. Throw a leg over and ride/giggle!

[T.W.R]

Meet K100CR
Cost less to build than most the tardme's.

something very similar

and a couple from the time & a nice 500 Yamaha

[doc]

Well it was modern once..... I guess...

Well everything changes . Even the modern versions are just individual expressions. I like them all

[husaberg]

Oh yeah .. I'd love a Goldie .. the last one was on trademe for $22k ... I still can't afford one

Dow did it better.
Granted The Goldie was pretty special but it was a Clubmans race bike rule bender. Royal Enfield did try to do a Café bike right down to its 5 speed and Bacon slicers and fly screen.

[scumdog]

I'm putting this in Rant or Rave cause it's probably going to end up in a Flame war - but I don't get them

They seem to be infesting Tard me like an STD in Hamilton - they all seem to have piddly engine sizes, look ugly as sin, Claim LAMS approved (despite being altered from Manufacturer's specs which voids LAMS approval) and hideously overpriced

Maybe there is something I am missing?

Right-on bro, choppers where it's at!

[carbonhed]

Yeah stupid things.



http://www.bikeexif.com/norton-commando-750

[Katman]

Yeah stupid things.

Is that thing broken down?

[Tazz]

I get the history of em, but the ones people do these days are the equivalent to building a hot rod and running a stock engine, which I don't get. Each to their own I guess.

[BuzzardNZ]

I loved my GB500tt. But following a friend on his Matchless 500 made the GB engine sound just like what it was, a Honda trail bike motor Nothing like the real thing I guess.



I do like the cafe racer style tho.

Didn't stop me from owning 3 of em GB's I mean!

Fucking Honda g00ks should release a 2016 version, I'd be in.

[husaberg]

I get the history of em, but the ones people do these days are the equivalent to building a hot rod and running a stock engine, which I don't get. Each to their own I guess.

Style over substance .............

[Tazz]

Style over substance .............

Yep, which I can't relate to. You've got bikes that were never good to start with yet had a small fortune spent on their looks on trademe probably with the same shock oil they rolled out of the factory with, yet done to a 'style' that has racer in the name. Da faq! All show no go as you say. Would rather some ratty looking piece of shit that handled like a boss and went like hell.

There was a good thread on advrider on the same topic a few months back that had some interesting comments on pod filters, carbs, and the fact the two never work together well other than to cause frustration. Funny because almost all the ones you see for sale with them on have had fuck all K's done on them by the seller.